USM Confers Service Awards on 91 Employees In celebration of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) recognized 91 employees for their years of dedicated service to the University on September 28, 2026, at the University Auditorium, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato. Engr. Samuel A. Camaganacan, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XII, graced the ceremony as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. In his speech, Engr. Camaganacan said the awardees have continued to work and serve the university through the years. He said their commitment and service deserve to be honored. “To the University of Southern Mindanao, we commend you for recognizing your employees. Celebrating their years of service is a meaningful way to honor the people who have helped build and strengthen this institution over the years. To our awardees, saludo po kami sa inyong serbisyo,” he remarked. He also reminded the awardees to be proud of the years they have given, the work they have done, and the people they have served along the way. The University gave service awards to employees who have served USM for 10 to 35 years. Of the 91 awardees, 39 received the Bronze Kakaw Award for 10 years of service, while 25 received the Silver Kakaw Award for 15 years. Three employees received the Silver Goma Award for 20 years of service, and 11 received the Golden Goma Award for 25 years. Meanwhile, six received the Silver Kamagong Award for 30 years, while seven received the same Silver Kamagong Award for 35 years of service. In an interview, Dr. Tessie E. Lerios, one of the Silver Kamagong awardees, said she was elated to have reached 35 years in public service. She said the efforts and sacrifices she made over the years felt worthwhile, especially after her service was recognized by the university. She also shared a message for young professionals in public service, encouraging them to keep learning and remain committed to their job. “Every day is a learning day. Every challenge and every problem you encounter has a solution. Be committed every day, not only to yourself but also to the university you are serving,” she narrated. Dr. Krizler C. Tanalgo, a Kakaw Awardee, also expressed his gratitude for the recognition. He said it reminded him of his work and responsibility at USM. He hopes to continue serving the university through training and research. Having reached the rank of professor in ten years, Tanalgo also shared a message for the university’s new employees. “Work on something you enjoy. Be passionate and be disciplined because not every day you will be motivated. Always have the grit in you, and never get discouraged immediately,” he said. Guided by the theme, “Puso, Dangal, at Galing Para sa Bayan,” the ceremony was spearheaded by the USM Human Resource Management and Development Office, led by its Director, Dr. Nerissa G. Dela Viña. The recognition formed part of USM’s celebration of the 2026 Founding Anniversary.

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Published by Loynei Frias Sumalinog at September 28, 2026

In celebration of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) recognized 91 employees for their years of dedicated service to the University on September 28, 2026, at the University Auditorium, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

Engr. Samuel A. Camaganacan, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XII, graced the ceremony as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

In his speech, Engr. Camaganacan said the awardees have continued to work and serve the university through the years. He said their commitment and service deserve to be honored.

“To the University of Southern Mindanao, we commend you for recognizing your employees. Celebrating their years of service is a meaningful way to honor the people who have helped build and strengthen this institution over the years. To our awardees, saludo po kami sa inyong serbisyo,” he remarked.

He also reminded the awardees to be proud of the years they have given, the work they have done, and the people they have served along the way.

The University gave service awards to employees who have served USM for 10 to 35 years. Of the 91 awardees, 39 received the Bronze Kakaw Award for 10 years of service, while 25 received the Silver Kakaw Award for 15 years. Three employees received the Silver Goma Award for 20 years of service, and 11 received the Golden Goma Award for 25 years. Meanwhile, six received the Silver Kamagong Award for 30 years, while seven received the same Silver Kamagong Award for 35 years of service.

In an interview, Dr. Tessie E. Lerios, one of the Silver Kamagong awardees, said she was elated to have reached 35 years in public service. She said the efforts and sacrifices she made over the years felt worthwhile, especially after her service was recognized by the university.

She also shared a message for young professionals in public service, encouraging them to keep learning and remain committed to their job.

“Every day is a learning day. Every challenge and every problem you encounter has a solution. Be committed every day, not only to yourself but also to the university you are serving,” she narrated.

Moreover, Dr. Krizler C. Tanalgo, a Kakaw Awardee, also expressed his gratitude for the recognition. He said it reminded him of his work and responsibility at USM.

He hopes to continue serving the university through training and research.

Having reached the rank of professor in ten years, Tanalgo also shared a message for the university’s new employees.

“Work on something you enjoy. Be passionate and be disciplined because not every day you will be motivated. Always have the grit in you, and never get discouraged immediately,” he said.

Guided by the theme, “Puso, Dangal, at Galing Para sa Bayan,” the ceremony was spearheaded by the USM Human Resource Management and Development Office, led by its Director, Dr. Nerissa G. Dela Viña.

The recognition formed part of USM’s celebration of the 2026 Founding Anniversary.

Loynei Frias Sumalinog

Loy has a habit of buying books more often than actually reading them. Also, he sets reminder to only drink two cups of coffee in a day, and forgets it every time.